Improved step-ladder



UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID I. STAGG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED STEP-LADDER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,594. dated February 3, 1.863.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I,DAv1D I. STAGG, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Step-Ladder 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of my invention, ptrtly in section Fig. 2, a front or a back View of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both iigures.

This invention consists in combining one or more step-ladders with a standing frame or support, the parts being constructed and arranged in such a manner that the frame will at all times serve as a support for the ladder or ladders, and admit of the same being adjusted in an inclined position for use, and also admit of the same being drawn or folded compactly within the frame when not required for use.

The object of the invention is to obtain a device for the purpose specied, which will Ybe perfectly secure when in use, and which lnay be readily adjusted in either a folded or unfolded state, as may be required.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents a frame, formed of four legs, a, connected at their upper ends, at each side, by a cross-piece, b, and having a platform, c, upon it. The two legs a a at each side of the frame are connected at their lower parts by a crosspiece, d, and these two cross-pieces are con- B B. These bars are of metal, and are inclined in reverse positions, their upper ends being quite near each other, and their lower ends extending nearly or quite to the outer edges of the legs a, forming angles of about fortyive degrees. (See Fig. l.) The bars B are slotted longitudinally nearly their Whole length, as shown at f.

O O represent two step-ladders, which may be constructed in the usual way-to wit, each ot' two parallel side strips, g g, grooved at their inner surfaces to receive the ends of steps or treads h. To the upper end of each side strip, g, of these ladders there is permanently attached a forked metal strap, D, the upper ends of which are slightly bent outward and have small cross or T heads li on them, which pass through the slots f and form a connection between the ladders and the frame A,

the necks h of the cross or Theads being allowed to work freely in the slots f. In the inner edge of each side strip, g, of the ladder C there is made a notch or recess, i. (Shown in Fig. l.)

By this arrangement it will be seen that by drawing outward the ladders O the neck; of the cross or T heads lL will rest on the bottom of the slots f of the bars B, while the lower ends of said strips will rest upon the iioor or ground. When in this position, the

ladders are ready for use, and any Weight to y which the ladders are subjected, and which is sustained by the necks h of the cross or T heads in the bottoms of the slots f, will be within the base of the frame A-that is to say, a vertical line touching the T heads h', when the latter are at the lower ends of the slots f, will be within the space encompassed by the lower ends of the legs a; hence the frame cannot turn over or tilt under the weight of any person or load placed on the ladders C or any step thereof, whether one er both of the latter be used.

When the ladders are not desired for use, they are shoved upward and within the frame A, the necks h of the cross or T heads h passing up in the slots f of the bars B, and the notches or 'recesses i being fitted on the cylindrical crossties e e, when the former come in contact with the latter, as shown in red in Fig. l.

This invention is applicable to either small or large step-ladders. The device, it will be seen, is self-supporting, whether the ladders are in use or not, and both ladders may be adjusted for use at the same time, it' desired,

or eithei1 one of them adjusted for use sepa.- 01 both of them connected to the frame A,

rateiy. substantially as shown7 to admit of theadjust- Having thus described my invention, what ments herein set forth. i I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters DAVID I. STAGG. Patent, is- Witnesses The standing' or supporting frame A, in M. S. PARTRIDGE, combination with the step-ladders G C, either DANIEL ROBERTSON. 

